Have faith in Massachusetts; 2d ed. eBook

It is your duty not only to reflect public opinion,
but to lead it. Whether we are to enter a new
era in Massachusetts depends upon you. The lessons
of the war are plain. Can we carry them on into
peace? Can we still act on the principle that
there is no sacrifice too great to maintain the right?
Shall we continue to advocate and practise thrift
and industry? Shall we require unswerving loyalty
to our country? These are the foundations of
all greatness.

Let there be a purpose in all your legislation to
recognize the right of man to be well born, well nurtured,
well educated, well employed, and well paid.
This is no gospel of ease and selfishness, or class
distinction, but a gospel of effort and service, of
universal application.

Such results cannot be secured at once, but they should
be ever before us. The world has assumed burdens
that will bear heavily on all peoples. We shall
not escape our share. But whatever may be our
trials, however difficult our tasks, they are only
the problems of peace, and a victorious peace.
The war is over. Whatever the call of duty now
we should remember with gratitude that it is nothing
compared with the heavy sacrifice so lately made.
The genius and fortitude which conquered then cannot
now fail.

XXV

STATEMENT ON THE DEATH OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT

The people of our Commonwealth have learned with profound
sorrow of the death of Theodore Roosevelt. No
other citizen of the Nation would have brought in
so large a degree the feeling of a common loss.
During the almost eight years he was President, the
people came to see in him a reflection of their ideals
of the true Americanism.

He was the advocate of every good cause. He awakened
the moral purpose of the Nation and raised the standard
of public service. He appealed to the imagination
of youth and satisfied the judgment of maturity.
In him Massachusetts saw an exponent of her own ideals.

In token of the love and reverence which all the people
bore him, I urge that the national and state flags
be flown at half-mast throughout the Commonwealth
until after his funeral, and that, when next the people
gather for public worship, his loss be marked with
proper ceremony.

XXVI

LINCOLN DAY PROCLAMATION

JANUARY 30, 1919

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts By His Excellency
Calvin Coolidge, Governor